Andantara Given the Task to Improve the Management of Natural Resources and Energy Exports, Arief Poyuono: Don't Let the Storm Come When It's Time to Be Fixed

Illustration. (Photo: Dok. Antara)

JAKARTA - State-owned enterprise (BUMN) observer Arief Poyuono assessed that the government's move to strengthen the governance of exports of strategic natural resources (SDA) commodities through Danantara Sumberdaya Indonesia (DSI) is an effort that should be supported. According to him, various problems in the export trade, including under invoicing practices, have been going on for years and have not received serious attention so far.

"If the government now wants to improve export governance, in my opinion it is a good step. The issue of under invoicing is not a new issue, it has been a problem for decades and has harmed the country in a very large amount," said Arief Poyuono in his statement, quoted, Wednesday, June 3.

Arief said the practice of under invoicing exports was an act of business actors who reported a lower export value or volume than the actual condition. This practice has the potential to reduce state revenues, reduce foreign exchange from exports that enter the country, and create unhealthy business competition.

He highlighted various studies which showed that the accumulated export value reported was lower than the actual realization reaching around US$908 billion in the period 1991 to 2024. This value is equivalent to more than Rp15,000 trillion.

"If the number of leaks is that big, of course we can't consider this a small problem. What I wonder is that for years this practice has never been a big debate. Now there is an effort to improve and increase transparency, but there are many doubts," he said.

According to Arief, the government and Danantara need to be given space to carry out the mandate that has been given. He considered it too early to conclude the impact of the policy before implementation was carried out and the results could be evaluated objectively.

"We give them a chance first. Andantara has just been assigned to strengthen export governance. See the implementation, see the results. If there are indeed shortcomings, they can certainly be improved. But don't assume it's negative before it starts," he said.

Arief added that the main objective of the policy is to create a more transparent, accountable, and integrated commodity trading system. With better governance, Indonesia's position as a leading exporter of various strategic commodities is expected to be stronger in the global market.

He also emphasized that the efforts to enforce were not aimed at obeying business actors, but at practices that have the potential to harm the country and create market distortions.

"What needs to be understood is that this is not about making it difficult for the business world. In fact, the goal is to create a healthier level playing field. It's time for practices that are detrimental to the country to be disciplined and business actors who do not comply are dealt with firmly," said Arief.

According to him, as long as the policy is carried out transparently, gradually, and still pays attention to business certainty, the business world does not need to worry about the government's efforts to strengthen the governance of the export of national strategic commodities.

"In the end, Indonesia is the beneficiary. Foreign exchange is more optimal, governance is better, and international market confidence in Indonesian commodities can also be stronger," he concluded.